Abstract
A roundoff is an acrobatic tumbling skill performed in gymnastics, dance, or cheer, consisting of a preparatory phase, an action phase, and a landing phase requiring coordinated movements between the major joints and muscles. A dynamic roundoff is expected to produce a greater force than a static roundoff, as the running start increases velocity and allows for greater momentum and power generation through the landing. Additionally, differences in force production between males and females may be present due to differences in body mass, body composition, and strength. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if gender played a role in static vs. dynamic roundoffs and which would produce greater peak force. We hypothesized that males performing a dynamic roundoff would produce the greatest force due to increased body size and the ability to generate greater explosiveness with a running approach. METHODS: This study included 5 male and 5 female participants, aged 19–22, all with a background in tumbling. Each participant completed a 10-minute self-selected warm-up before testing. Kinvent force plates were used to measure force. For static testing, participants performed a standing round-off with no preparatory steps (“single leg drop jump” test), while dynamic testing involved a round-off with a running approach (“drop jump” test). Each participant completed two repetitions of each test, with a 20-second rest between trials. Participants self-selected their starting distance from the force plates. RESULTS: After analyzing all the data, we found that the females had a higher average peak force for the static landing (2.112 N) compared to the males’ (0.6442 N). This may be related to the females no longer being active in tumbling and having less muscle mass, which could reduce their ability to control the landing. In contrast, the male participants, who are currently active in cheer or dance, likely have better landing control. For dynamic landings, males had a slightly higher average peak force (8.262 N) than females (7.734 N), which may be due to their greater muscle mass. CONCLUSION: Our findings show sex-based differences in peak force production, with dynamic roundoffs producing greater force in both sexes and females producing higher peak force than males during static roundoffs. A dynamic roundoff generates additional power for the tumbler, which enables the athlete to connect other skills by rebounding out of the roundoff. These results can aid cheerleaders, gymnasts, dancers, and their coaches in determining whether a static or dynamic roundoff is best for a particular skill. Athletes will be able to enhance their training and overall performance as a result. This project has several limitations, such as technology errors, the manner in which people were taught to do a roundoff, the level of experience with this skill, and a lack of confidence when landing on the force plate.
Recommended Citation
Scheidt, Molly M.; Andrusick, Autum; Fugiel, Amy; Goodyear, Megan; and Chelette, Amber M.
(2026)
"Sex Differences in Force Production During Static and Dynamic Round-Offs in Tumblers,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 53.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/53